Landscape Information
Situated in Rockefeller Park, this garden is nestled between the eastern rim of the park’s ravine and East Boulevard. Leo Weidenthal, publisher of the Jewish Independent, had previously established a Shakespeare Garden within the park and conceived of the idea to create a series of gardens representing diverse cultures. The Hebrew Garden, the first such garden, was designed by B. Ashburton Tripp and dedicated in 1926.
Occupying relatively level ground, the garden is defined by stone paving laid out in a Star of David pattern, surrounded by mature oaks that rise from lawn or ground cover beds. At the center lies a hexagonal pool with a pink marble fountain, its bowl resting atop seven pillars, in reference to a biblical verse, and inscribed with Hebrew letters. Surrounding the fountain are beds with naturalistic shrubs and perennials. North of this feature, a path leads to a secluded stone patio. Four of the star’s six points direct visitors’ views to stone monuments.
At the east, a staircase connects the garden with East Boulevard, while at the west, a path marked by an exedra descends the ravine and leads to Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive. Each entrance to the garden is flanked by a flagpole displaying the Israeli flag.
An adjoining garden dedicated to Jewish composers and musicians was established to the south in 1937. The space features a receded path laid out in the shape of a lyre, shaded by oaks. The Hebrew Cultural Garden is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and is a contributing feature of the Rockefeller Park and Cleveland Cultural Gardens Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.
